HiYoSilver

Have not looked much at cheap headlights as they don't meet my safety requirements. But neighbors kid is riding without any headlight. They don't have much money but I think they might be able to spring for a 25-40 headlight.

What's the best to recommend? At most I only want to recommend 2 or 3 options. I'll probably give a spare blinky as a tail light.

Thanks

Wanderer

Lowes Task Force "C" Flashlight. reg $30, when on sale $25. You can make a handlebar clamp from two ceiling conduit clamps.

ModoVincere

Low cost Cree based flashlight (like the Lowes Task Force), some rechargeable batteries and a charger. I use the Coleman Max which puts out a claimed 115 lumens and the regular price at wal mart is 24.99. A set of rechargable AA's and a charger will run you about $12-15. That's a total of $40 before tax.

Cyclist0383

Check out this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/435347-best-headlights-under-50-thread.html

HiYoSilver

Hey, this is for a grade school student. Flashlights won't work. REI has a 3 led planet bike beamer for $22 that has a good review, but I have not seen it.

Performance has a princeton tec eos for $44, but no reviews.

Again, still looking for ideas.

Cyclist0383

Then just go and get him a cheap blinky because he's going to lose or break it anyway. Actually get a few, for when the breaking and losing starts.

jbabic

I got a headlamp from Target for $25. It has a fairly bright LED in front and battery pack in the back. The battery pack includes a small red LED facing backwards for visibility. I put this on my helmet and recharge the NiMH set I use in it about every three days or so.

A similar version of this can be found here at Essential Gear. I ordered their version of this headlamp called the Focus Control. Though I like what I got from them enough they charged twice what Target did and the shipment was mysteriously delayed over five months. Because of what I consider poor customer service I would not recommend them as a vendor. Stick to Target instead.

Problem is I can find no link to this item at Target online, and my local stores are spotty in carrying this headlamp.

HiYoSilver

duh, forgot about target and walmart. thanks

akatsuki

Seriously there is only one recommendation for max light for $40:

Dealextreme P7 flashlight

$40 and brighter than anything 10 times the price.

jbabic

I agree that it's easily the brightest for the money - only if you already have the appropriate batteries and charger. I believe the battery requirements would put this out of the price range specified.

I'm sure something like this could be made a gift but without the recipient's personal investment it could potentially be more likely lost & forgotten.

I like a headlamp as a starting point as it can be aimed more readily than something bike-mounted. This can work nicely in catching the eye of a motorist.

If the new cyclist is serious then they can get more serious lighting some time down the road.

akatsuki

Forgot about the batteries... the cheap Cree is probably the way to go whether at Lowes or through DX.

tarwheel 

Romison makes a flashlight that runs on AA rechargeables that sells for $25 at Shining Beam. See this thread for a discussion.

https://www.bikeforums.net/electronics-lighting-gadgets/489032-romisen-rc-n3-cree-q5.html

I don't know if the Romison is as high quality as the Fenix L2D, but it's probably worth a try at less than half the cost. If you don't mind spending $60, myself and many others have had great success with the Fenix lights.

crackerdog

The fenix has a circuit in it that keeps the light bright as the battery runs down. However, the Romisen is fine for a kid. Leave it on the bike, a helmet mounted light will get trashed when he tosses the helmet and if he does crash (more likely than an adult), the mounting may not allow the helmet to skid. With the electrical conduit clamps, the flashlight would be mounted securely and be no different than a bike specific light- except way cheaper and brighter.

GreenRiver

Planet Bike Blaze 1 watt - I paid about $29 for mine - this looks like an even better deal:

https://cgi.ebay.com/PLANET-BIKE-BLAZ...3A1%7C294%3A50

weavers

agreed, but pair it with a Q5 light on flashing. you will easly be able to see the road and cars will see you and identfy you form miles. the q5 is only 20bucks. with batteirs and charger, and p7 you looking at about 80 dollars.

i wasted about 40dollars on cheap led lights, you know the bulky ones that arn't worth a damn. really don't go cheap on a light system, unless your an eletronic do it yourselfer. also get a good rear blinkie like a marsblack 3.0, 4.0 or superflash and get alteast two.

Not the Slowest

I just got the Romisen and its a keeper especially for the price.
There is a code somewhere that will save you 5% not sure what it is, just search the threads for it.
I also had the Fenix until I crashed and lost it.

I also Used the Planet bike and still have it.

Here's my two cents on this.

Get the Planet bike just because
a) simple on/off
b) Bike specific mount
c) you can use ONE standard AA battery
d) Is easily removable
e) Has a nice flash mode or steady on. NOTE the steady light will not do too much to help you on the road.
f) If you EVER have an issue with it, EVER means EVER. Planet bike will help you.
g) THEY HAVE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

If you want BRIGHT and BE Seen and SEE THE ROAD, then get the Romisen.
You have room in your budget for one or two.

dougmc

Which Planet Bike are you referring to?

The Blaze 1w takes two AA batteries, and it'll light up the road well enough to see (as long as you're not blinded by oncoming cars) so I'm guessing you're referring to a different Planet Bike light? (though I think the Blaze 1w is a very good choice for somebody who's got $30 to spend (get it at Amazon) and doesn't want to muck with adapting a flashlight.)

freeranger

I'm having good luck with the below-good throw, and the head may be moved closer or further from the LED, allowing for more or less spill:
https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10301--light 27.xx
https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251--charger 12.xx
https://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3287 --batteries 10.xx
Over $40, but the flashlight is very bright, good throw, and no problems. Tried a flashlight rated at 230 Lumens (above is rated 150), and the light above is brighter and lights up the road better. Decent light for the investment.

dschwarz

Romisen has the same circuit to keep the light bright - If it starts at 100% brightness, it quickly drops to 90% then stays there for the rest of the battery's lifespan.